As the temperatures rise in Nova Scotia, many residents are noticing an increase in blackflies compared to previous years. However, there may be a positive aspect to this surge in blackfly activity.
According to Andrew Hebda, a former zoology curator at the Nova Scotia Museum, blackflies remain inactive during winter and cold periods but become active in spring when the weather warms up. Hebda mentioned to CBC’s Information Morning Halifax that blackflies are emerging rapidly this season.
Hebda explained that if the warm weather persists for 10 days to two weeks, the majority of blackflies will have emerged, reproduced, and then disappeared for the summer since they have only one generation per year. In contrast to mosquitoes, which can have multiple generations in a season, blackflies will not reappear until the following year once they have reproduced and died off.
Hebda noted that mosquitoes thrive in moist, warm summers and that last year’s dry conditions led to some suppression of blackflies despite higher temperatures.
To avoid blackflies, it is advisable to steer clear of tall grass and wooded areas. For mosquitoes, staying in open spaces with strong, steady winds is recommended. Additionally, using bug sprays to mask your scent or wearing bug jackets to create a physical barrier between yourself and the insects can be effective measures.
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